INTRO
Titanium metal has excellent performance, but its untreated surface is difficult to meet high-end manufacturing needs. Surface treatment technology is the key to giving titanium materials a "second life". Below are six core processes systematically sorted out for you.
Titanium polishing is divided into two categories: mirror finish and brushed matte finish, aimed at correcting roughness and eliminating processing defects. Mirror polishing obtains a dense surface layer through step-by-step polishing, which is commonly used for medical and food grade titanium products, but has weak scratch resistance; Matte drawing is the mainstream precision machining method for aviation and industrial components, which uses directional textures to conceal defects and enhance resistance to friction and impact.
Sandblasting utilizes high-pressure airflow to drive sand to impact the substrate, creating a uniform micro matte rough surface and effectively removing oxide layers and burrs. This process can activate the inert surface of titanium materials, greatly improving the adhesion and uniformity of subsequent anodizing or PVD coating, and is an indispensable pre process before coloring high-end titanium products.
Anodizing precisely thickens the titanium dioxide film on the surface of titanium through electrolysis, and uses the principle of light interference to present stable structural colors such as blue, gold, and purple. This process has no coating in the whole process, and the film is dense and insulating, which can significantly improve the corrosion resistance and aging resistance of titanium materials, and is widely used in high-end wearable products and precision decorative parts.
PVD ionizes the target material in a vacuum environment and deposits it on a titanium substrate to form a nanoscale dense film layer. It can achieve thick heavy metal colors such as pure black and gun ash, and its hardness and friction resistance far exceed those of oxidation processes. Due to its thin film layer and no impact on size, this process is very suitable for precision titanium products such as titanium pens and cutting tools that are frequently used.
Acid pickling and passivation are commonly used for repairing workpieces after welding or heat treatment. They remove high-temperature oxide scales and pollutants through specialized acid solutions, achieving deep purification of the substrate. The subsequent passivation process will reconstruct a steady-state oxidation protective film. Although this process does not change the appearance, it can eliminate the hidden danger of hydrogen embrittlement and is a mandatory anti-corrosion process for medical and aviation pressure components.
Micro arc oxidation utilizes high-pressure plasma discharge to in-situ ceramicize the surface of titanium materials, generating a ceramic film with extremely high hardness and wear resistance. This process can withstand extreme high temperatures and strong acid-base corrosion, making it a high-performance ceiling for surface treatment. Currently, it is mainly used in core scenarios such as aviation power and military equipment that require extreme durability..
Conclusion
Surface treatment of titanium materials is a key project to enhance their comprehensive performance. From basic polishing, acid pickling and passivation, to anodizing, PVD coating and micro arc oxidation, each process is precisely adapted to different scenarios. In the future, with the iteration of technology, multi process collaboration will further unleash the potential of titanium metal and promote its widespread application in high-end manufacturing fields.
Baoji Yibaite New Materials Technology Co., Ltd. - The Best Manufacturer and Supplier of Titanium Materials